County Council say they are planning for success across Staffordshire

COUNTYWIDE plans to boost residents’ access to good jobs, healthy living and promote strong communities living are to come under the microscope.

Staffordshire County Council’s plan for delivering its priorities in each of the eight district and borough authorities has been scrutinised by a cross-party group of councillors interested in its implementation.

Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “We work closely with councils, schools, voluntary and private sectors and housing associations, but there is always more than can be done.

“We want Staffordshire’s residents to be able to access the good jobs being created here through economic growth, live independent, healthy lives and be part of safe and strong communities.

“Establishing a plan for each of the eight districts and boroughs is a key part of that – it draws on the existing strengths and assets in each area and publicly focuses our attention on what needs to be done to deliver what residents want.”

Highlights and objectives include:

Tamworth: work with the borough council and Staffordshire Police to regenerate the Gungate area, improve access between Ventura Park, town centre and railway station, and deliver innovative family support schemes;

Lichfield: support delivery of schemes to increase jobs and business rates in Lichfield and Burntwood; creating the necessary number of secondary school places to meet growing demand and use the new health centre at Burntwood for social prescribing – where appropriate;

Cannock Chase: developing a town centre masterplan with the District Council, providing infrastructure for the Mill Green retail development and supporting the redevelopment of Rugeley power station;

East Staffordshire: support commercial schemes creating jobs and increasing business rates at Branston Locks, open the county’s first dementia centre of excellence in Burton and ensure there remains sufficient school places to meet growing demand;

Stafford: work with the borough council to support the development of the Stone masterplan and the Stafford Town Centre North plan, as well as identifying appropriate land for housing;

South Staffordshire: identify appropriate housing and commercial development land, work with the district council to explore better use of public buildings in Codsall and ensure the area’s growth plan includes ways of supporting older people;

Newcastle: work with the Borough Council to develop plans for Kidsgrove town centre and Knutton, support Keele University’s development and identify sites in the north of the borough for commercial and housing use;

Staffordshire Moorlands: regenerate Cheadle town centre including a redesign of local health services and develop with the district council a plan for Leek’s Mill Quarter and the Wharf Road area of Biddulph.

Philip Atkins said: “The growth plans we are developing with each authority will identify development opportunities for the next 15 years and provide the backbone of our joint work to keep Staffordshire a great place to live, work and visit.”